China Builds Tower Concentrating Solar Power Plant
China has taken a significant step towards securing a clean energy future by building the first megawatt-level tower-type solar-thermal power station in Asia. The project was completed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and is located in northwest Beijing. The researchers have reported that the CSP plant is operating in stable condition, using a 1.5-megawatt steam turbo-generator to generate electricity. The project combines solar-thermal technology with advanced steel structure engineering design, manufacture, and installation provided by Qingdao Qiangli Steel Structure Co., Ltd., a large-scale specialized enterprise.
The construction of the CSP plant is significant, both nationally and globally, because it will help China in its efforts to shift towards more sustainable, less polluting energy sources. China is currently the world's largest carbon emitter, but the country is aware of the need to reduce its carbon footprint to meet climate change targets. It is also aware that there is considerable potential for solar energy development and is taking advantage of this potential in its drive towards cleaner energy.
Tower-type CSP plants are suitable for areas that have abundant sunlight and relatively flat terrain. They have a high energy density, meaning they can generate more electricity per unit of land area than other types of solar power generation technology. The tower technology is based on a system of mirrors, or heliostats, that reflect sunlight onto a receiver at the top of a central tower. The receiver absorbs the sunlight and uses it to heat a fluid, which is then used to generate steam. The steam drives a turbine, which generates electricity.
The Beijing CSP plant consists of a circular array of 16 solar thermal collector mirrors, each with an area of 85 square meters. The mirrors are positioned at the base of the tower and reflect sunlight onto a receiver mounted on the tower. The tower is 80 meters high and has a diameter of 10 meters at the base. The receiver converts the sunlight into heat, which is used to heat a fluid, which is then used to generate steam. The steam is used to power a steam turbine, which generates electricity. The system is fully automated and remote-controlled, making it easy to operate and maintain.
One of the major advantages of CSP plants is their ability to store thermal energy, allowing them to continue generating electricity even when the sun has set or is obscured by clouds. This is achieved by using a heat storage system, such as molten salt. When the sun is shining, excess heat is used to heat the molten salt, which can then be used to generate steam after the sun has set.
The Beijing CSP plant is just the beginning of China's efforts to develop solar-thermal power plants on a larger scale. It is expected that more CSP plants will be built across the country in the coming years, as part of China's commitment to a cleaner energy future.
In conclusion, the development of the first megawatt-level tower-type solar-thermal power station in Asia is a significant achievement for China. This project, which combines solar-thermal technology with advanced steel structure engineering, will help the country in its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve its climate change targets. It also demonstrates China's commitment to developing cleaner energy sources, and it is expected that more CSP plants will be built across the country in the coming years.